Visiting Butchart and Edinburgh Botanical Gardens

Are you thinking of visiting beautiful botanical gardens such as Butchart and Edinburgh Botanical Gardens on your travels?

This post is part 1 of ‘Beautiful botanical gardens around the world’.

The Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh and the Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island will be covered in this post.

EDINBURGH ROYAL BOTANICAL GARDENS

Edinburgh Royal Botanical Gardens are set around 70 acres of beautiful landscape only a mile from the centre of Edinburgh. We caught a bus which dropped us off at the East Gate Entrance (bus numbers 8,23,27 from the city centre). The gates (see below are beautiful!) Access to the gardens is free but there is a charge of £5.50 (correct May 2016) for entry to the glasshouses which are a total must see in my book!

It was a lovely sunny when we were there which is always a bonus!

In the glasshouses

The glasshouses feature ten separate houses which each have a distinct climate zone. I have no doubt completely mixed up the pictures below but they give you an idea of what you will see in the various zones – the tropical palm zone, orchid and cycad zone, the rainforest riches house are just 3 of the different houses you pass through.

We had a brilliant morning walking around the gardens and the glasshouses and they are definitely one of my favourite botanical gardens to visit.

There are lots of sculptures around the gardens too and they are something I plan to look for next time we visit.

Find out more about visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh on their official website!

BUTCHART GARDENS – VANCOUVER ISLAND

They were the idea of Jennie Butchart who over 100 years ago decided to design a flower garden in what was then an abandoned quarry. (Her husband – a businessman – owned a cement plant on the island and the quarry had provided limestone to the business). Her vision and creativity led to the creation of what are now one of the most beautiful floral show gardens in the world.

We caught a bus to Butchart from downtown Victoria and back again after the firework show. The return was a bit of a nightmare as we waited over an hour for a bus and there were loads of people waiting. It was mainly standing room only for the majority of the journey back into Victoria. However the question is…would I do it again? Too damn right I would!!! The gardens are truly MAGNIFICENT.

There is entertainment on too and we sat listening to a live band on the lawns with popcorn sellers milling with the audience…the weather was glorious.

After the music we moved over to the firework display which we also loved. Take a blanket and a fleece and enjoy the show!

PIN FOR LATER – BUTCHART AND EDINBURGH BOTANICAL GARDENS

She has lived and worked in 7 countries on 4 continents and travelled to over 50 more. A qualified school teacher with an interest in history, reading, photography, nature and wildlife she is always planning her next trip (preferably by train)

Through down-to-earth stories, tips and advice (based on her own extensive knowledge and experience of life as an expat) she aims to support new and prospective expats to survive and thrive in Australia.

With a lifetime of travel experience, and a network of friends all over the world, she is also able to share genuine insider guides, recommended best book lists and train journey inspiration to help you travel authentically to some of the most beautiful places on earth.

What a fabulous post! Botanical gardens are gorgeous and you have really done them justice with your photos and check out the blue sky in Edinburgh! Someone was smiling on you that day, oh and the fireworks in Vancouver, wow, I wasn’t expecting you to say you had seen that at the gardens! I love all the information you have provided as well, thank you, it means we have everything we need to know so I have pinned it for future reference! #feetdotravel

Thank-you Angie. The gardens were so lovely as are Singapore and Kirstenbosch in my next post – all stunning but so different. The firework show at Butchart Gardens is fabulous and if you get the chance I would definitely go when they are on.

I always love to visit pretty gardens and these photos show me that I have to to go to both of these. I have pinned these and I look forward to the post on sland Singapore Botanical Gardens and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Love the beautiful gardens from around the world. My favorite was the glass house the housed the orchids. My favorite. The outside gardens on Vancover Island are amazing. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to Part 2 🙂

Wow look at these photos! They are all amazing. The gardens in this post look stunning! I love spending time in the nature and when ever there is a botanical garden around, I try to make time to check it out. Australia is great like that, I bet you are going to love it here!

I’ve definitely started exploring botanical gardens more since my daughter came along – they’re often lovely and cool in the heat and great for her to run around. #citytrippingCathy (Mummytravels) recently posted…City Tripping #57

I have a picture of me and my daughter at Kew when she was about 10 months old – great place to take her for a stroll in the pushchair. Now twenty years later I still love them and my daughter loved the orchid gardens in Singapore. Great places to visit!

Beautiful. I love finding gardens when I’m travelling – especially in the least likely places. My favourite is possibly the botanical gardens in Singapore and Quito has a surprisingly lovely one too. Look forward to part 2!

I love a botanical garden. Enjoyed the one in Singapore and I live very close to Kew. Didn’t know about the one in Edinburgh. Thanks for linking #citytrippingElizabeth (Wander Mum) recently posted…Fun Outdoor Family Activities with Decathlon

G’DAY!

Spending over 40 years living and working in 7 countries across 4 continents has given me a unique perspective on expat life.

In this blog I share practical tips, advice and experiences of expat life in Australia. I also include supportive, reflective and informative posts addressing the practicalities and ups and downs of moving countries.

For those who seek authentic travel my focus on real experiences of living, working and travelling in many of the most beautiful countries around the globe, detailed world-wide destination guides and comprehensive reading lists will help you achieve your goal.

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